Portree: Central Hub

Founded in the early 19th century as a fishing village, Portree has grown into the main town on Skye and remains the island’s beating heart. Its pastel-coloured harbour, framed by cliffs and hills, is one of the most recognisable views in the Hebrides and still buzzes with fishing boats, tour vessels, and waterfront life.

The town itself is lively and compact, with plenty to see and do: browse small shops, visit local galleries, or wander the pier and harbourfront lanes. Portree is also an excellent place to spend an afternoon if you’d like to take a boat trip on the bay, with options that range from wildlife spotting to scenic cruises.

In the evening, the town comes into its own as one of Skye's best places for dinner, offering everything from traditional pubs to acclaimed restaurants.

Gift Shops:

• Skye Candle Co - island-made candles and homewares just outside of town.

• ÒR - small gift shop with island-made homeware/books/jewellery. Highly recommend.

• Misty Isle Distillers - island-made gins and whiskies (with tastings).

Lunch/Coffee

• Birch * – top-notch coffee, excellent pastries, and sweet treats.

• Summer Café * – excellent sandwiches, generally best for takeaway.

• Cuillin Hills * - an excellent option for a relaxed lunch in a lovely setting; book here.

• MacKenzie's Bakery - cosy, traditional Scottish bakery for savoury snacks and cakes to go.

• Cafe Arriba - buzzy and rustic cafe, good for hearty breakfasts and lunches.

• Gasta Port Righ – excellent pizzas in a relaxed setting, a short drive from town.

Boat Trips

• Stardust: Regular daily cruises on a small boat, family-friendly, and super fun.

• Seaflower: The luxury option with private options and sunset champagne option.

• Seafari Experience: Regular daily sailings, a little more adventurous and fast.

Dinner

We highly recommend booking in advance where possible; Portree’s restaurants tend to book up:

• Cuillin Hills * - an excellent restaurant located within the hotel. Overlooks Portree Bay. Also has a brilliant whisky-and-cocktail bar.

• Scorrybreac * – mainly seafood, foraged, and excellent. It is fine dining (though relaxed) and on the expensive side, but a real experience. Ask for a table upstairs overlooking the harbour if eating here! Also has a very cute gin/cocktail/whisky bar upstairs serving island/West Coast drinks with foraged garnish. Something of a hidden gem.

• Gasta Port Righ * – excellent pizzas in a relaxed setting, a short drive from town.

• The Isles Inn - a traditional pub with an open fire, good food, and a lively vibe.

• Dulce & Brose - high-quality food and a relaxed yet good bistro.

Drinks in Portree

• Scorrybreac * – A very charming gin/cocktail/whisky bar upstairs serving island/West Coast drinks with foraged garnish. Something of a hidden gem.

• Caberfeidh - speak-easy style cocktails in the town centre (also excellent pizzas).

• Merchant Bar - charming, whitewashed, and traditional pub most famous for its extensive whisky and gin selection.

Other Skye Restaurants

If you’re based in Portree but keen to experience some of Skye’s standout dining, these restaurants are all within driving distance and very much worth planning ahead for. Reservations are essential, particularly in peak season, and many book out weeks in advance.

• Edinbane Lodge (Edinbane) – A refined, island-inspired tasting menu built around local produce, seafood and foraged ingredients. Intimate and quietly elegant, this is a special-occasion choice and a wonderful introduction to Skye’s modern culinary scene.

• Loch Bay (Stein) – Skye’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, celebrated for its seafood-led tasting menus. Expect beautifully presented dishes that showcase west coast shellfish and seasonal ingredients, served in a relaxed waterside setting. Unpretentious.

• The Three Chimneys (near Dunvegan) – Long regarded as one of Scotland’s destination restaurants, offering a thoughtfully curated tasting experience rooted in Highland produce. The coastal location adds to the sense of occasion.

• Fire at Dunvegan (Dunvegan) – A more relaxed but flavour-driven option, centred around open-fire cooking and bold, seasonal ingredients. Informal in style, but still firmly in the “book ahead” category.

• Monkstadt 1745 (near Uig) – A small, characterful dining room set within a historic estate, serving a carefully considered tasting menu. It’s an atmospheric choice for those exploring the north of the island.

• The Three Chimneys at Talisker (Carbost) – A more casual sister offering to the original Three Chimneys, with seasonal plates and a relaxed coastal setting near the distillery and harbour.

• The Old Inn (Carbost) – A cosy, characterful inn popular for hearty food, local seafood and live music on select evenings. Ideal after a visit to the nearby distillery or a day exploring the west of Skye.

• The Sprig (Broadford) - A lovely local restaurant in the heart of the town, expect hearty places, local produce, and all freshly made.

Optional Activities